Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of aerosolized pentamidine and of reduced-dose intravenous pentamidine for the treatment of mild to moderate Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Design: Randomized open study with serial pulmonary function testing and measurement of pentamidine concentrations in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

Patients: Of 44 men and 1 woman with a mild to moderate first episode of P. carinii pneumonia (PaO2 ≥ 7.3 kPa [55 mm Hg]), 23 received aerosolized pentamidine and 22, intravenous pentamidine.